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Peek into the future.

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From Mark Rauterkus

Value Added Mini Series

The hard drive on my computer just maxed out. Ouch. To be honest, the computer I've been using most of the time these days is my son's. My two Macintosh PCs have been taken apart since our return from New Zealand. So, I'm in a computer funk of sorts.

My recent video efforts with the TV show(s) has been a bit of a struggle. I told another parent it feel like getting the camel through the eye of a needle.

Well....

I'm going to make a "Value Added Mini Series" with various segments of the larger TV show. This value added mini series will be broken into 'chapters.'

Meanwhile, the bigger TV Interview will come in parts.

Volunteers needed: Transcription of 1 hour tv interview + more

A transcription helper or three is needed to type the contents of interviews from a TV show delivered in DVD format. Typist should be able to view the interview off of the DVD on a home TV/DVD player. Or, play the DVD off of a computer.

I'd love to get a text document and associated timeline of the interview returned to me as soon as possible.

The first show is about one hour in length. The second show is a bit shorter.

As payment, you'll be able to keep the DVD(s).

Ethics Complaint Form as a Google Document

Ethics Complaint Form as a Google Document.

Printing the form from my blog, in the following posting, might not be best. Here it is in a format that does not include the sidebar, headers and such.

Now use it, if you care.

Ethics Hearing Board Complaint Form

_________________________

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

ETHICS HEARING BOARD- CITY OF PITTSBURGH

COMPLAINT FORM

1. Identify the person you are complaining about:

Name:_______________________________________________

Office Address: _______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

Position or Title: ______________________________________

Phone: Work: ______________________________________

2. Explain in detail why you believe that the individual named above may have violated the City provisions. Attach additional sheets of paper if necessary.

3. Attach or make reference to any documents, materials, minutes, resolutions or other evidence which support your allegations.

4. Sworn to and subscribed before me this I swear or affirm, under penalty

____ day of _____________________, or perjury that the facts set

forth in this complaint are

_______________________________ true and correct to the best of

(Notary Public) my knowledge, information and

My Commission expires: belief.

____________________________

Send completed form to: Signature

Ethics Hearing Board Print Name:

City of Pittsburgh Department of Law ____________________________

313 City-County Building Home Address:

414 Grant Street ____________________________

Pittsburgh, PA 15219 ____________________________

(412) 255-2015 ____________________________

Phone Work:__________________

Phone Home:__________________

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Complete all sections of the Complaint Form. Incomplete forms will not be processed.

2. Give the specific name and office address of the person about whom you are complaining. If you are complaining about more than one person, use a separate complaint form for each person. You may photocopy or reproduce this form if you need more forms.

3. Provide a detailed account of the activity that is said to be violative of the “City provisions: of the Code of Conduct. The Ethics Hearing Board’s jurisdiction extends solely to the complaints alleging violations of the City Provisions. All complaints with respect to violations of any terms of the state statute (Pennsylvania Public Official and Employee Ethics Law, Act 170 of 1978 as amended by Act 9, 1989), shall be within the sole jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission. If you have a question about whether the Board has jurisdiction over the conduct or individual in question, refer to the Code of Conduct, the Ethics Handbook, or contact the City Solicitor (Ethics Hearing Board).

4. Enclose records, documents, minutes, etc. that support your allegations.

5. Sign the form and have a notary sign, date and affix seal and note the date his/her Commission expires.

Important

Any person filing a complaint with the City of Pittsburgh Ethics Hearing Board should be

aware of the following provisions of the Code of Conduct.

Section 197.12

(i) No public official or public employee shall discharge any official or employee or change his official rank, grade or compensation or deny him a promotion, or threaten to do so or take any other retaliatory measures, for filing a complaint with or providing information in connection herewith, testifying in any Board proceeding or being the subject of a complaint or investigation hereunder except as provided in Section 197.16.

(j) As a general rule, no person shall disclose or acknowledge, to any other person, any information relating to a complaint, preliminary inquiry, investigation, hearing or petition for reconsideration which is before the Board. However, a person may disclose or acknowledge to another person matters held confidential in accordance with this subsection when the matters pertain to any of the following:

(1) Final orders of the Board as provided in subsection (g) hereof;

(2) Hearings conducted in public pursuant to subsection (f) hereof:

(3) For the purpose of seeking advice of legal counsel;

(4) Filing an appeal form a Board Order;

(5) Communicating with the Board or its staff, in the course of preliminary inquiry, investigation, hearing or petition for reconsideration by the Board;

(6) Consulting with a law enforcement official or agency for the purpose in initiating, participating in or responding to an investigation or prosecution by the law enforcement official or agency;

(7) Testifying under oath before a governmental body or a similar body of the United States of America;

(8) Any information, records or proceedings relating to a complaint, preliminary inquiry, investigation, hearing or petition for reconsideration which the person is the subject of; or

(9) Such other exceptions as the Board, by regulation, may direct.

Section 197.14

(a) A person who signs or causes or precipitates the signing of a complaint alleging a violation of the city provisions against another is subject to liability for wrongful use of this chapter if:

(1) The Complaint was frivolous, as defined thereby, or without probable cause and made primarily for a purpose other than that of reporting a violation of the City provisions; or

(2) The person publicly disclosed or caused to be disclosed that a complaint against a person had been filed with the Board.

Baby, You Can Buy My Car. Yes, You're Gonna Be a Star. Beep, beep, Yeah!

Update: Car is sold!

Original post from July 26, 2007:

We need to sell this car. Do you need a cheap, dependable, car? Honda LX, 4 door, automatic with 102,500 miles. I posted this to Craigslist and have had a good number of calls.

This would be perfect for getting around town in the winter. Or, it would be ideal for the high school, college or grad student / driver. Works well. Just inspected. Fixed up a bit of rust on the edges. Has airbags and a power sun roof that works. Air conditioning works too. Worst features, AM radio reception because of a snapped antenna. Call me if you want to take it for a test drive. It is parked on 12th Street, very near to our house. We're looking to sell this so we don't have to insure it any longer.

The blue book value is $2,900. But, we'll sell it 'as is' for less. I'd love to get $2,000. But, we'll take less. Hurry. The offer is $1,900 (firm). Don't be the third, please, to offer $1,500.

Blog Rankings:

This blog, Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates, was ranked #7 in the original rankings of the most influential political blogs in Pennsylvania.

Blognetnews.com -- Pennsylvania's ranking of most influential political blogs -- Running Mates -- we're #7

Blognetnews.com � Pennsylvania: "Pennsylvania's Most Influential Political blogs"

The top 20 include:

1	GrassrootsPA
2	Attytood
3	The Pennsylvania Progressive
4	Suburban Guerrilla
5	PowerBlog!
6	The Carbolic Smoke Ball
7	Mark Rauterkus & Running Mates ponder current events
8	www.keystonepolitics.com
9	PSoTD
10	Above Average Jane
11	:::Philebrity...media, culture, music and more:::
12	Pennsyltucky Politics
13	passopenrecords.org
14	Phillybits
15	Brendan Calling
16	TONY PHYRILLAS
17	Mark A. Kilmer (the weblog)
18	2 Political Junkies
19	Save The GOP
20	The Rittenhouse Review

A new storm is brewing -- and we've got another big hole in our roof

Wouldn't you know -- today the roofers returned and put a big hole in our roof to extend the height of the chimney. What ever happened to the luck of a sweep that will shake off on you? Perhaps the sweeps are really lucky and the roofers sing another tune. (Understanding Hint to hidden blog meanings: Mary Poppins movie and Dick Van Dyke. -- Chim chimmeny, chim, chim cha roo, ...)

Ugh.

The worst is when the rain comes into the second floor via the ceiling light fixtures and drags all this crud -- like our house had been smoking for 125 years with tar and soot baked the bones. But hey, this is the South Side. I doubt that there smokers lived in the house, but the mills blanketed every thing.

Just for the record, our cat and house sitter is a guy who ...

We've got people staying and even working in our house while we're away.

I'm going without a cell phone!

To reach me, send an email. Don't call. I'm not going to check my voice messages until June 11.

We could set up a telephone conversation via my private TalkCast area on http://www.TalkShoe.com. However that is going to need to be set up via email prior to the meeting.

Should we need to talk or have an interview, call: 724 444 7444 and my private group call room is with Talkcast ID: 901. I'll need to log into the system via voice over IP.

Dave 4 Council -- no more right now - Candidate statement

Press Release – For Immediate Release

Candidate Statement

Press Contact:
Contact@Dave4Council.Net

(412) 894-8743

It is with deep solace that I announce today that I will be fulfilling my commitment to both my family and to the many Pittsburgh District 1 Democratic Committee Members I have had the honor of meeting or speaking to over the past 12 weeks, and as such, I will not be seeking the Democratic Party Nomination in this May’s Primary.

From people & vips

Though this decision was hard to come to, it was ultimately made with the best interests of both my family & those who wish to see change in mind. The primary reason for this decision is so as to spend more time with my family. Though they have been very understanding & appreciative of the many supporters of my candidacy, my family has also suffered the most of my absence while campaigning over the over the past 5 months.

This decision, however, was also made after vast reflection and consultation with my supporters of the Democratic Party Endorsement results this past weekend. Though they surpassed our expectations and demonstrated an increase in support of my candidacy from 4% to 12%, the fact remains that 34 committee members whom did not support Ms Harris in September are still prepared to cautiously give her a 2nd chance to prove that she can change her imprudent spending ways. As such, we have concluded that it would be imprudent to add to the field of candidates running this May, and we will ‘back down’ (as we say in my industry) for now. Instead, we will consider a head-to-head run against her in November should she win in May, especially should she not heed voters warnings to change her aimless & reckless spending habits.

In closing, I would like to thank the Democratic Party for accepting me with open arms since becoming a naturalized citizen in December; the many Democratic Committee Members who either considered or actually endorsed my candidacy this passed weekend; and all the voters who have been supportive of my candidacy since last fall and who wish to see drastic change in the way City Council does business. Should our current council member continue to demonstrate a lack of good stewardship, voters will have one last opportunity to change course this November, and I am prepared to consider championing that cause at that time should they ask.

With deepest respects,

David I. Schuilenburg

Nice letter. Nice guy.

Folks, rule #1, don't burn out. Often they win by attrition. Keep plugging at your own pace. Be realistic. Take care of yourself and your home front first and foremost.

Challengers get to 'stand for office.' Make a stand. I don't want to run for office as in run around like a chicken with its head cut off. I don't want to spend $1-million to get a chance at a job that pays $90,000. Only a fool would do that and even try.

Be prudent. And, be happy with yourself.

Today I was slated to speak at the Allegheny County Council meeting. I got there, after swim practice, with my sons in tow. My youngest had fallen to sleep in the back seat of the car as we drove from the swim pool to Grant Street. My oldest was wearing shorts. I pulled the car up onto the curb so he could confirm at the county police that the meeting was still taking place.

Seems that the SEA's Mary C was on the hot seat for 90-minutes before a single bill had come to a vote. The meeting was dragging. It looked as if it would go two additional hours, as of 8 pm, so hinted the John, the county clerk. I was on the agenda and ready to speak. But my guys still had homework.

We watched as the council confirmed its first bill on the agenda, the No Sweatshop Bill. Well done Ken. Then we came home. About 40-minutes later, as we watched via the webcast eating dinner, my time to speak arrived. I was parked at home, speaking for MORE than 3-minutes, with my kids. Oh well.

I'm happy with my work ethic as a volunteer activist and a Libertarian party leader. Nonetheless, should I take an official role, I'll not skip out on meetings. My presence would be held to a different standard, of course.

I wanted to speak to council and go out of my way to give props to Vince G for recent suggestions. Some are considering the elimination of the Port Authority (PAT). I've called for the elimination of authorities in the past as well. I like some of the things I heard on council. When that happens, I cheer.

Dave Schuilenburg. Hope to see you around again soon. Thanks for the effort. Let's talk soon about the others in the race and this fall's general election.

Refresher Training... and travels and our military movie escapes

From family - travels

My blogging has been busy. I'll blame it on the Admiral's departure. The People's Republic of Pittsburgh: Refresher Training...

Meanwhile, my sweetheart and her mom have departed to Pheonix for five days. The boys and I are gearing up for some war films on DVD. Recent gems we've enjoyed, beyond The Guardian, include Fly Boys and Annapolis. The movie, The Marine, came into the house and left again without being watched because the snow days ended.

Suggestions of DVDs welcomed.

Extra photo, just because I can. From family - travels,

Happy New Year

The Year of the Pig is here.

My boys each picked up a $1 as a gift from a gift shop cashier yesterday. They were greeted as they walked into a small hotel lobby gift store with an expression from the women who seemed to be from China who said, "Happy new year." Erik and Grant replied back to her, the same expression, but in Chinees.

Zodiac plate for sale in an art-market in China. I can't even begin to express what is being communicated with the signs and characters. (Click image to see a larger view.)

Home

Travels for the memorial service of my father-in-law in Boston kept us busy and off-line since Friday.

Next up, sadly, the funeral for my uncle, my mom's brother.

Did I miss anything?

More on our trip later.

UPDATE: Wishing for that 2-hour delay call, before kick-off

UPDATE 2: School is OFF. The Two Hour Delay came and then it was changed to NO SCHOOL for STUDENTS on MONDAY AM.

How about a 2-hour delay for Monday morning school, to be called before kickoff.

It's cold. The buses are going to need time to warm up.

We're wanting to watch football and not have grumpy guys all week.

Needing tags for the new blog

Once blogger came out, I asked them to allow for tags. Now they've arrived. But, I'm not sure what tags to deploy?

I've got the four themes for campaign mode:

Future, Freedom, Fitness, Flow

I could just make them up as I go along:

Candidate, housekeeping, call (or invite), etc.

I might want to use the tag field to link back to the Platform.For-Pgh.org/wiki.

Advice welcome.

From texture - foods

Blogger 2.0 upgrade has occured here

I've gone to blogger 2.0. Notice the Google Ads now run at the very top of the page, where the search field used to reside. And, the Google Calendar seems to peek into a tiny horizontal box at the top of the posting area -- where the Google Ads used to reside.

Woops.

I've changed my blog archives to weekly, not monthly.

This blok has had 4,652 posts.

Signature requirements to get onto the November 2007 ballot

Blast from the past. Mechanical voting machines.

To run as a third party candidate for an Allegheny County office that is 'county wide' (such as County Executive and At-Large member of Allegheny County Council) one needs 2,345 signatures.

To run as a third party candidate for City of Pittsburgh offices that are 'city wide' (such as Mayor and Controller) one needs 804 signatures.

To run for City Council, district 3, (my district) in the election slated for November, one needs 100 signatures.

To run for Allegheny County Council in district 13, (my district), one needs 270 signatures.

FreeTeam.Org -- a defunct domain that used to be in the network, along with SportSurf.net, since 1994

The Internic's Org domain is for non-profit organizations. .Org is a worldwide top level domain designated for miscellaneous entities not fitting under Net, Edu, Gov nor Com.

Non-Profit Status

FreeTeam.Org is slated to become a non-profit organization, to be incorporated in one of the States of the U.S. as a 501(c)(3) entity. This incorporation process should occur in 1999 -- but it didn't. We are resolving issues on the FreeTeam.Org charter, original by-laws, early roles and leader members.

Relationship between FreeTeam.Org and SportSurf.Net

• FreeTeam.Org's cousin is SportSurf.Net, founded in 1994.

  The Net domain is for entities and computers that represent part of the Internet's infrastructure.

  Net domains were originally intended for use by Network Information Centers, Network Operations Centers, and administrative computers (such as a name server) and network node computers.

• The Net within SportSurf.Net is apparent in the hosting of hundreds of email discussion groups.

  SportSurf.Net serves as a collaborative, community message hub with top-notch bandwidth utilization and deployments. Many communication opportunities for input, feedback and grass-roots participation are fortified at the site. One aim is to better ideas, information, and participation in sports and related activities.

These Org and Net sites are not Commercial

Neither the non-profit organization, FreeTeam.Org, nor the network happening place, SportSurf.Net are commercial, for-profit, businesses. These efforts are hosted and maintained with altruistic reasons and motivations. These sites present places where re-cycled electrons collide from around the world, mingling folks from any domain (.edu, .gov, .org, .com and others) to sharpen ideas, messages, mediums, and even the masses, one-by-one basis if necessary.

Update:

Other old and gone domains are listed at Hub.SwimISCA.org. 

Bundle.com.